JP6264957B2 - Image forming apparatus, recording medium supply apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes an image including a first light emitting member that emits light when the recording medium is being conveyed from the recording medium installation unit, and a second light emitting member that indicates an operation member that is operated when the recording medium is removed from the apparatus main body. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus, a recording medium supply apparatus, and an image forming system.

  For example, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a recording medium is transferred from a recording medium tray such as a recording medium tray storing a recording medium such as recording paper, and the toner image is transferred by the image forming unit. The toner image is fixed on a recording medium by a fixing device to form an image. In addition, the recording medium on which an image is formed may be subjected to a binding process, a folding process, or the like as post-processing. This post-processing apparatus is installed as an optional apparatus separate from the apparatus main body. Further, in addition to the case where the recording medium tray is installed inside the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, a recording medium supply apparatus (large capacity recording medium) storing a large capacity recording medium connected to the apparatus main body as an optional device of another apparatus A replenishing device (LCT) may be installed. As described above, the image forming system is configured by arranging the recording medium supply device and the post-processing device in the image forming device.

In such an image forming apparatus, a plurality of recording medium trays are provided for each recording medium size, and the recording medium is replenished from a recording medium tray (paper feeding tray) to which no recording medium is supplied, and printing is not stopped. There is something that can be continued. Such an image forming apparatus is used for applications in which a large amount of printing processing is continuously performed. Then, the image forming apparatus of this is the opening portion outside the recording medium tray, it recording medium is being conveyed, i.e. the row of emitting displays by the light emitting member that to open the recording medium tray is prohibited Is called. By this light emitting display, it is possible to prevent the recording medium tray being conveyed from being accidentally pulled out.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus, the recording medium is clogged due to the conveyance abnormality at various portions of the conveyance apparatus in the image forming apparatus main body. This clogging of the recording medium is particularly likely to occur in the fixing device. When the recording medium is clogged, the recording medium needs to be taken out of the image forming apparatus. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a technique for displaying a location where a recording medium is jammed on a display unit of an operation panel of the image forming apparatus so that the location where the recording medium is jammed can be recognized from the outside.

  In Patent Document 1, when the recording paper does not reach the registration sensor, that is, when a jam occurs, the number of remaining sheets in the machine at the time of jam occurrence is stored at the remaining sheet position based on the storage information of the storage unit. Describes an image forming apparatus that judges and displays a corresponding door, and judges and displays whether or not there is remaining paper after jamming processing based on the presence or absence of paper position information of recording paper that has not been normally ejected from the machine. ing.

  However, in the image forming apparatus that emits light on the outside of the opening / closing portion of the paper tray that is supplying the recording paper described above, if the light emission for displaying the paper jam location is performed outside the opening / closing portion of the apparatus main body, It becomes difficult to distinguish between the middle part, that is, the “part that should not be opened” and the recording paper jam part, that is, the “part that should be opened”.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. Whether the light emission signal of the light emitting member indicates that the recording medium is being supplied or whether the recording medium is jammed is easily distinguished between the two types of light emitting members. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily distinguishing the above.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is disposed on the outer surface of the recording medium setting section recording medium Ru is installed, a first light emitting member which emits light when the recording medium from the recording medium installation section is conveyed, device detecting a second light emitting member disposed in the vicinity of the operation disposed to the operating member, or the operating member when removing the body or found before type recording medium, the presence or absence of the recording medium remaining in the apparatus main body In the image forming apparatus including the remaining recording medium detecting unit, the second light emitting member emits light when the operation member needs to be operated based on a detection result of the remaining recording medium detecting unit . The emission color of the light emitting member is in a wavelength region of 460 nm to 480 nm, the emission color of the second light emitting member is in a wavelength region of 610 nm to 630 nm, and the recording medium installation unit is pulled from the apparatus main body. The first light emitting member includes a light emitting element and a light guide member that guides light of the incident light emitting element and emits the light from the emission unit, and the light guide member is disposed in the recording medium installation unit. And a light amount reducing member that covers the light emitting element and reduces light from the light emitting element in conjunction with a pulling operation of the recording medium installing portion. .

According to the present invention, the first light emitting member and the second light emitting member in the image forming apparatus can be easily discriminated without being confused, and an erroneous operation can be prevented. Even in such a state, it is possible to prevent light from the light emitting element of the first light emitting member from entering the eyes of the operator.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording medium conveyance path of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a recording medium storage unit opening / closing door of the image forming apparatus is opened. 1 shows a drawer unit of the image forming apparatus, (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the drawer unit is pulled out, (b) is a perspective view from another direction, and (c) is a door portion of the drawer unit. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened. 1 is a block diagram showing a light emission control system of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the light emission control system of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. 2A and 2B show a recording medium storage portion opening / closing door and a paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of FIG. The surface member arrange | positioned at the surface side of a light emitting member is shown, (a) is a perspective view which shows the case where a 1st light emitting member is used, (b) does not use the 1st light emitting member. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus is pulled out. It is a perspective view including the partial cross section which shows the structural example of a light emitting member. It is a perspective view which shows the example which designates several operation member with one light emitting member. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the image forming system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an opening / closing door of a large-capacity recording medium supply device in the image forming system is opened. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a large-capacity recording medium supply device in the image forming system. FIG.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention removes the first light emitting member that is disposed on the outer surface of the recording medium installing portion and emits light when the recording medium is transported, and the recording medium that is jammed in the image forming apparatus main body. And a second light emitting member indicating an operating member to be operated. The second light emitting member is disposed in the vicinity of the operation member or the operation member. The image forming apparatus includes a remaining recording medium detecting unit that detects a recording medium remaining in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the second light emitting member emits light when the operation member needs to be operated based on the detection result of the remaining recording medium detecting unit. In addition, the first light emitting member and the second light emitting member emit light in different states.

<Basic configuration of image forming apparatus>
First, the overall structure of the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem type color copier that forms a color image by forming and fixing toner images of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black on a recording medium such as recording paper . The image forming apparatus 100, the apparatus main body 101, a document reading unit 110 optically reads an original, an image forming unit 120 that forms an image by an electrophotographic system to record medium, a recording medium storing portion for storing a recording medium by size 130.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 150 that instructs operation of the image forming apparatus. The operation unit 150 is disposed along the width direction (left-right direction) on the upper surface on the operator standing position side (near side) of the document reading unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. The operation unit 150 includes a touch member 151, operation buttons 152, and the like. In FIG. 1, the front side is indicated by F, the back side is indicated by B, the right side is indicated by R, and the left side is indicated by L.

  On the upper surface of the document reading unit 110, a contact glass 111 and a frame material 112 are disposed as a document reading surface. On the upper side of the document reading unit 110, a pressing plate that presses the document against the contact glass 111 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) are arranged (both not shown).

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus. The image forming unit 120 includes four image forming units 18Y, 18C, 18M, and 18K. Each of the image forming units 18Y, 18C, 18M, and 18K converts the latent images of the four photosensitive drums 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K that are exposed by the exposure device into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developing devices 61Y, 61M, and 61C. , 61K, and toner images are formed on the photosensitive drums 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K. The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K are transferred to the intermediate transfer body 10. Next, in the secondary transfer unit 140, the full color toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member 10 is secondarily transferred to the recording medium.

  The secondary transfer unit 140 includes the transfer roller 21, the conveyance belt 22, the cleaning device 17 for the intermediate transfer body 10, and the like, forms a recording medium conveyance path, and constitutes a part of the image forming unit 120. The image forming unit 120 is provided with a fixing device 160. In the figure, reference numerals 62Y, 62C, 62M, and 62K are secondary transfer rollers, reference numerals 63Y, 63C, 63M, and 63K are cleaning devices that remove the residual toner on the photosensitive drums 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, and reference numeral 49 is a conveyance device. A registration roller that positions and feeds the recording medium that has been used is shown.

  In addition, the process cartridge unit is formed by all or a part of the parts constituting the image forming units 18Y, 18C, 18M, and 18K, and can be pulled out to the image forming apparatus 100 in a lump, thereby improving maintenance. .

  As the photosensitive drums 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K rotate, the surface of the photosensitive drums 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K is first uniformly charged by a charging device, and then an exposure device (not shown) uses a laser or the like according to image data. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drums 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K by irradiating writing light from an LED or the like.

Thereafter, toner is attached to each of the photosensitive drums 40Y, 40M, 40C , and 40K by the developing devices 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K, and the electrostatic latent images are visualized, and the visible images are intermediated by the primary transfer device. Transfer onto the transfer body 10. The surfaces of the photoconductive drums 40Y, 40M, 40C , and 40K after the image transfer are cleaned by removing residual toner with the cleaning devices 63Y, 63C, 63M, and 63K, and the surface is removed by the static eliminator to prepare for another image formation. Here, the recording medium conveyance path constituting a part of the image forming unit is a conveyance path including the conveyance belt 22 of the fixing device 160 from the transfer roller 21 of the secondary transfer unit 140.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording medium conveyance path of the image forming apparatus. The recording media stored in the paper feed trays 131, 132, 133, and 134 of the recording medium storage unit 130 are conveyed by the recording medium conveying device, an image is formed in the image forming unit 120, fixed in the fixing device 160, and discharged. Is done. In the case of single-sided printing, the recording medium is conveyed one by one to the image forming unit 120 by a recording medium conveying device (path a in the figure), and a toner image forming process and a fixing process are performed (same path b). The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray that is not present (path c). When performing duplex printing, the recording medium on which one side is printed is reversed by a reversing device. In this case, the reversing device moves the recording medium to the purge unit 135 adjacent to the recording medium storage unit 130 (paths d and e), and performs reversal by changing the conveyance direction of the recording medium (path f). In the case of manual sheet feeding, a recording medium is inserted from a manual tray (not shown) (path g).

  The paper feed tray 131 stores a bundle of recording media of a predetermined size (recording medium bundle). The paper feed tray 131 is formed so that it can be pulled out to the front side, and a front panel 131a is disposed on the front surface thereof. The entire front panel 131a is arranged along a plane in the vertical direction, and a handle 131b for pulling out and pushing in the paper feed tray 131 is arranged. The handle portion 131b is configured as a belt-like member having an insertion gap that allows an operator to place a finger. Similarly, the other paper feed trays 132, 133, and 134 include front panels 132a, 133a, and 134a, and handle portions 132b, 133b, and 134b. Further, the paper feed trays 131, 132, 133, and 134 are provided with a paper feed / conveyance detecting means 320 (see FIG. 6) as a sensor for detecting whether or not the recording medium is being conveyed.

  The right side end of the front panel 131a, 132a, 133a, 134a of each of the paper feed trays 131, 132, 133, 134 has a recording medium replenishment operation based on the detection result of the paper feed / conveyance detection means 320. First light emitting members 221, 222, 223, and 224 shown in FIG.

  Next, the movable member and the operation member of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the recording medium storage portion opening / closing door of the image forming apparatus is opened. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a plurality of movable members including doors, drawers, and the like in order to take out the recording medium jammed inside the apparatus. The image forming unit 120 has a manual sheet feeding unit opening / closing door 121, the recording medium storage unit opening / closing door 137 in the longitudinal conveyance path of the recording medium storage unit 130, and the purge unit opening / closing door 136 in the purge unit 135 of the reversing device. Is provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a toner replacement opening / closing door 123. A toner container containing yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner is disposed behind the toner replacement opening / closing door 123. The manual feed unit opening / closing door 121, the purge unit opening / closing door 136, and the recording medium storage unit opening / closing door 137 are provided with a handle unit 121a, a handle unit 136a, and a handle unit 137a as operation members.

  In addition, the secondary transfer unit 140 and the fixing device 160 in the image forming unit 120 are provided with a drawing unit 170 as a movable member that can be pulled out from the apparatus main body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 to the near side. FIG. 5 shows a drawer unit of the image forming apparatus, (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the drawer unit is pulled out, (b) is a perspective view from the other direction, and (c) is a drawer. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the door part of the unit. As shown in FIG. 5A, the drawer unit 170 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 101 along the rail 122. The drawer unit 170 is provided with a front plate portion 171 as a movable member.

  Further, the front plate portion 171 of the drawer unit 170 is formed so as to protrude to the near side from the front panels 131a, 132a, 133a, and 134a. Here, the front plate portion 171 is inclined to the back side downward, and the front plate portion 171 that forms the outer surface of the drawer unit 170 has an operation member for performing a pull-out operation and a push-in of the drawer unit 170. A drawer operation unit 172 is formed. 5B and 5C, the drawer unit 170 includes a side door 173 for taking out the recording medium from the side of the fixing device 160 as a movable member, and a lower side of the secondary transfer unit 140. A lower door 174 is arranged as a movable member for taking out the recording medium from the recording medium. The side door 173 and the lower door 174 are provided with handle portions (not shown) as operation members.

  A second light emitting member is disposed in the vicinity of each operation member or each operation member. That is, the drawer light emitting member 211 is disposed in the vicinity of the drawer operation unit 172 of the drawer unit 170, the manual sheet feeding door light emitting member 212 is disposed in the vicinity of the handle portion 121 a of the manual sheet feeder opening / closing door 121, and the purge section opening / closing door 136. A purge section door light emitting member 213 is disposed in the vicinity of the handle section 136a, and a recording medium storage section door light emitting member 214 is disposed in the vicinity of the handle section 137a of the recording medium storage section opening / closing door 137.

<Embodiment 1>
The image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described below. In the first embodiment, the light emission control of the first light emitting member and the second light emitting member is performed as follows on the premise of the structure of the image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a light emission control system of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The light emission control system includes a light emission control unit 310 for driving and controlling the first light emitting member 221 and the drawer light emitting member 211 which is the second light emitting member, a paper feed conveyance detection unit 320, a remaining recording medium detection unit 330, and a movable member open / close detection. Means 360.

  The light emission control unit 310 controls the light emission of the first light emitting member 221 and the drawer light emitting member 211 based on the detection results of the paper feed conveyance detection unit 320, the movable member open / close detection unit 360 and the remaining recording medium detection unit 330.

  The paper feed conveyance detection unit 320 detects the paper feed state of the paper feed tray 131. The movable member open / close detection means 360 detects the open / closed state of the drawer unit 170 which is a movable member. The remaining recording medium detection unit 330 detects that the recording medium remains in the image forming apparatus 100, that is, at which position the recording medium is jammed (paper jam).

  The light emission control unit 310 causes the first light emitting member 221 to emit light when the paper feed conveyance detecting unit 320 detects the paper feed conveyance, and does not cause the first light emitting member 221 to emit light when the paper feed conveyance is not detected. When the remaining recording medium detection unit 330 detects that the recording medium remains in the drawer unit 170, the drawer light emitting member 211 that designates the drawer operation unit 172 that operates the drawer unit 170 is caused to emit light. By causing the drawer light emitting member 211 to emit light, the drawer operation unit 172 that is an operation member operated to take out the recording medium is designated.

  In the present embodiment, the first light emitting member 221 and the drawer light emitting member 211 emit light in different modes that can be easily identified by the user. For example, the first light emitting member 221 emits light in a wavelength region of 460 nm to 480 nm (blue), and the extraction light emitting member 211 emits light in a wavelength region of 610 nm to 630 nm (red) different from the first light emitting member 221. Accordingly, the user can clearly distinguish at least the light emission amounts of the first light-emitting member 221 and the drawer light-emitting member 211, and does not misoperate the paper feed tray 131 and the drawer unit 170.

  The first light emitting member 221 and the extraction light emitting member 211 as the second light emitting member have a structure in which a light source such as an LED light emitting element and a light guide member formed of a transparent synthetic resin or the like are combined. The light guide member includes an incident surface on one surface and a light emitting surface on the other surface.

  In addition to making the emission color different as described above as a mode of making the first light emitting member and the second light emitting member different in light emission, the light emission control means 310 makes the light emission periods of the first light emitting member 221 and the extraction light emitting member 211 different. be able to. For example, the first light emitting member 221 can continuously emit light and the extraction light emitting member 211 can blink.

Incidentally, other first light emitting member 221 disposed on the paper feed tray 131 may be similarly emission control the first light emitting member 2 22,223,224 disposed in the other paper feed trays 132, 133, 134 . In addition to the drawer light emitting member 211, the manual light feeding door light emitting member 212, the purge portion door light emitting member 213, the recording medium storage portion door light emitting member 214, etc., which are other second light emitting members, are similarly used as the second light emitting member. Light emission can be controlled.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the first light emitting member disposed in the recording medium storage unit and the second light emitting member indicating the operation member for taking out the jammed recording medium. Can be easily discriminated without confusion. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of opening “a portion that must not be opened” without opening “a portion that must be opened”.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 may cause a paper jam in the recording medium, and this paper jam is likely to occur in the fixing device 160. Here, since the fixing device 160 is disposed in the drawer unit 170, in order to take out the recording medium from the fixing device 160, it is necessary to pull out the drawer unit 170. However, if the image forming apparatus 100 operates at a high speed, the recording mediums successively conveyed from the recording medium storage unit 130 are displayed even when the image forming apparatus 100 is stopped due to a paper jam. In some cases, the route a, the route b, the route d, and the route e illustrated in FIG. When the drawer unit 170 is pulled out in such a state, the recording medium existing in each path is torn inside the apparatus.

In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 has a divided portion where the recording medium conveyance path is divided when the drawer unit 170 is pulled out ( see path a, path b, path d, and path e in FIG. 3 ). If the drawer unit 170 is pulled out in a state where the recording medium is present at this parting position, the recording medium is torn between the apparatus main body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 and the drawer unit 170.

For this reason, in the image forming apparatus 100, the operation unit of the movable member that is opened to take out the recording medium causes the second light emitting member to emit light according to the order of taking out the recording medium. As the second light emitting member, the lead emission member 211, manual paper feeding unit door 121 of the handle portion 121a manual feed door light emitting member 212 disposed in the vicinity of which is arranged on the upper side of the drawer operating portion 172 of the drawer unit 170, purge unit door emitting member 213 has a handle portion disposed 136a near the purge opening and closing door 136, there is a recording medium accommodating unit door light emitting member 214 disposed on the handle portion 137 a of the recording medium accommodating unit door 137.

  These second light emitting members include LED light emitting elements and emit light in a wavelength region 610 nm to 630 nm (red) different from that of the first light emitting member. The first light emitting members 221, 222, 223, and 224 are disposed at the same positions as those in the first embodiment and emit blue light.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a light emission control system of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The first light emitting members 221, 222, 223, 224, the second light emitting member, the drawer light emitting member 211, the manual feed door light emitting member 212, the purge unit door light emitting member 213, the recording medium storage unit door light emitting member 214, etc. Light emission is controlled by the light emission control system. The light emission control system includes a light emission control unit 310, a paper feed conveyance detection unit 320, a remaining recording medium detection unit 330, an operation procedure determination unit 340, a storage unit 350, a movable member open / close detection unit 360, and a remaining recording medium detection unit 330. Is provided.

  In addition to the above-described locations, the second light-emitting member is a side door 173 and a lower door 174 (see FIG. 4C) in the drawer unit 170, or an operation portion of a movable member that needs to be moved when taking out the recording medium. It is arranged in the vicinity. Examples of the operation member include an opening / closing door release lever, a conveyance guide plate handle, a paper feed button, a paper feed knob, and the like.

  The first light emitting members 221, 222, 223, 224, the drawer light emitting member 211 as the second light emitting member, the manual feed door light emitting member 212, the purge portion door light emitting member 213, and the recording medium storage portion door light emitting member 214 It is connected to and controlled by the light emission control means 310.

  The movable member open / close detection means 360 detects the open / closed state of each movable member operated by the operation member. In other words, the open / close state of movable members such as the manual feed unit opening / closing door 121, the purge unit opening / closing door 136, the recording medium storage unit opening / closing door 137, and the drawer unit 170 is detected. The remaining recording medium detection means 330 detects the remaining portion of the recording medium. These detection means are constituted by a microswitch, an optical sensor, or the like.

  The storage means 350 is for taking out the recording medium from each remaining portion that can be detected by the remaining recording medium detection means 330 in each state of the combination of the operation states of the respective operation members that can be detected by the movable member open / close detection means 360. Operation procedure data that defines the operation procedure of each operation member that is required is stored. In other words, the storage means 350 determines the order in which the operation members to be operated for taking out the recording medium should be operated in the state where the recording medium remains, the remaining place of the recording medium and the opening / closing body of the movable member. Stored for each combination.

  The operation procedure determination unit 340 refers to the operation procedure data based on the detection result of the remaining recording medium detection unit 330 and the detection result of the movable member open / close detection unit 360, and the recording actually remaining in the conveying device. An operation procedure of the operation member necessary for taking out the medium is determined.

The light emission control unit 310 blinks the second light emitting member in accordance with the order determined by the operation procedure determination unit 340. This blinking is performed so that the operation member to be operated next is designated every time one operation member is operated.

  The blinking order of the second light emitting member will be specifically described. Hereinafter, a case where the recording medium is jammed in the vertical conveyance path (inside the recording medium storage unit opening / closing door 137) of the recording medium storage unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. In this case, first, the recording medium housing portion light emitting member 214 blinks. When the recording medium storage portion opening / closing door 137 is opened to remove the recording medium from the vertical conveyance path of the recording medium storage portion 130 and the recording medium storage portion opening / closing door 137 is closed, the recording medium storage portion door light emitting member 214 is turned off. As a result, the recording medium take-out process ends.

Such a process is also performed when a recording medium is clogged in the purge unit 135 or the fixing device 160 in the drawer unit 170. In such a case, the recording medium may be arranged at the part where route a, route b, route d, and route e in FIG. At this time, the operation procedure determination unit 340 reads from the storage unit 350 the blinking order of the second light emitting member corresponding to the operation order of the operation member necessary for taking out the recording medium remaining in the divided portion without tearing. . The light emission control means 310 sequentially blinks the second light emitting member that designates the operation member of each movable member in accordance with the read order.

  Note that the light emission control unit 310 can also operate as a light emission color control unit to perform light emission control of each light emitting member. That is, the light emission control unit 310 can set the light emission color of the first light emission member to be blue and the light emission color of the second light emission member to be red. In this case, the first light emitting member and the second light emitting member are provided with LED light emitting elements of the same specification capable of changing color. The light emission color is set by changing the light emission signal for driving the LED light emitting element by the light emission control means 310. In this case, the cost of parts can be reduced by using a single type of LED light emitting element. Also, the user of the image forming apparatus 100 can freely change the color scheme of the light emitting members. In addition, it can replace with a LED light emitting element and can use another light emitting element.

  Further, the light emission control means 310 can also be operated as a light emission timing control unit. In this case, the light emission control unit 310 lights the first light emitting members 221, 222, 223, and 224 continuously. On the other hand, the light emission control means 310 turns on and off the second light emitting members such as the drawer light emitting member 211, the manual light feeding door light emitting member 212, the purge portion door light emitting member 213, and the recording medium storage portion door light emitting member 214. Flashes at a cycle. The distinction between the two can be clearly performed in combination with the different emission colors.

  Moreover, since the light emission periods of the first light emitting members 221, 222, 223, and 224 are different from those of the second light emitting member, even if the light emitting color cannot be distinguished, such as a user with color blindness, it can be easily distinguished visually. In addition, static lighting is normal (recording medium is being transported) and “location that should not be opened”, and dynamic flashing is abnormal (recording media is clogged) and it is easy to recall “location that should be opened”. . This light emission cycle can be arbitrarily changed.

  Next, the configuration of the first light emitting members 221, 222, 223, 224 and the respective second light emitting members will be described. As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, both the first light emitting member and the second light emitting member are configured by combining the LED light emitting element and the light guide member. 8A and 8B show the recording medium storage portion opening / closing door and the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged perspective view of FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, the light emitting portions of the first light emitting members 221, 222, 223, and 224, that is, the tips of the light guide members are disposed at positions that do not protrude outward from the installation surface of the light guide members. . The first light emitting member 221 is disposed inside the front panel 131a of the paper feed tray 131, and an opaque decal 280 having a transparent portion 281 is attached to the front side of the first light emitting member 221 of the front panel 131a. ing. For this reason, the light emitting surface of the first light emitting member 221 is planar.

  In addition, the frame-shaped member which surrounds the circumference | surroundings of the light emission surface of a light guide member can be arrange | positioned on the installation surface of a light-emitting member, and the shape of this frame-shaped member can be varied with a 1st light emission member and a 2nd light emission member. . For example, the planar shape of the frame member of the first light emitting member is a square shape, and the planar shape of the frame member of the second light emitting member is an elliptical shape. As the frame-like member, a decal attached to the installation surface can be used.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, the recording medium storage portion door light emitting member 214 as the second light emitting member has an emission surface 214a formed at the tip of the light guide member as the light emitting portion on the installation surface. It is a three-dimensional shape that gives impact from the surface of a recording medium accommodating unit door 137 to the outside. In this example, the injection part 214a has a cylindrical shape with spherical parts formed at both ends.

  The light emitting surface of the first light emitting member 221 is a flat surface, and the three-dimensional comparison of the recording medium storage portion door light emitting member 214 is clearly distinguishable. As described above, the first light emitting member 221 that is conspicuous on the front surface of the image forming apparatus 100 can be visually recognized without a problem even if it is flat, but the recording medium storage portion door light emitting member 214 is disposed on the right side of the apparatus and is difficult to see. However, since the recording medium storage portion door light emitting member 214 is formed in a three-dimensional shape so as to protrude from the surface of the recording medium storage portion opening / closing door 137, it is easily noticeable.

  As the image forming apparatus 100, an image forming apparatus including any of the paper feed trays 131, 132, 133, and 134 including a paper feed tray that does not require light emission of the first light emitting member is manufactured. An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image at high speed is assumed to be continuously operated by replenishing a recording medium during image formation. However, depending on the use state, the continuous operation is not performed and the first light emitting member is supplied. It may be unnecessary for some paper trays. In this case, the first light emitting members 221, 222, 223, and 224 are not disposed in any of the paper feed trays 131, 132, 133, and 134, and the first light emitting members 221, 222, 223, and 224 are disposed. It is possible to make the surface member inconspicuous by sticking the surface member. FIG. 9 shows a surface member arranged on the surface side of the light emitting member. (A) is a perspective view showing a case where the first light emitting member is used, and (b) is a perspective view showing a case where the first light emitting member is not used in part. FIG.

  At a place where the first light emitting member 240 is used, as shown in FIG. 9A, a decal 280 provided with a transparent portion 281 that transmits light from the first light emitting member 240 at the arrangement position 271 of the first light emitting member 240. Paste. In addition, reference numeral 283 in the drawing indicates a decal that describes the number of paper feed stages.

  On the other hand, in a place where the first light emitting member is not used, as shown in FIG. 9B, a decal 290 formed of an opaque material in which the hole 272 at the arrangement position 271 of the first light emitting member cannot be seen is pasted. Can do. The decal 290 can describe the number of paper feed stages, and the decal 283 can describe the recording medium size.

  Next, specific examples of the first light emitting member and the second light emitting member of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. The first light emitting member 221, 222, 223, 224, the second light emitting member, the drawer light emitting member 211, the manual feed door light emitting member 212, the purge unit door light emitting member 213, the recording medium storage unit door light emitting member 214, etc. The same LED light emitting element and a light guide member having a shape suitable for each arrangement location. That is, the shape of the light guide member is appropriately changed depending on the arrangement space and movement state of the light emitting member at the arrangement location. The light guide member has a shape corresponding to a place where the light guide member is disposed, and emits light from the LED light emitting element from the emitting portion by internal reflection.

  If conditions such as the arrangement space permit, the LED light emitting element and the light guide member are joined and configured as an integral unit. In addition, when the light guide member is disposed on the moving movable member, the LED light emitting element is fixed to the apparatus main body side, and the movable member is in the closed state, the LED light emitting element and the light guide member are in proximity to or in contact with each other, The light from the LED light emitting element is guided by the light guide member. Further, the LED light emitting elements can be arranged in various orientations with respect to the surface on which the light is displayed.

When the light from the LED light emitting element is emitted at a right angle to the light display surface, the light guide member can be linear. Further, when the light from the LED light emitting element is emitted at an angle with respect to the light display surface, a reflective surface is formed on the light guide member. As described above, assuming that the configuration of the light guide member is different depending on each arrangement location, the brightness of the light emitted at the location where the arrangement is made is different if the same LED light emitting element is used. For this reason, it is preferable to adjust the brightness of the LED light emitting element and the transparency of the light guide member so that the display of each part is recognized as the same brightness.

  A case where the LED light emitting element and the light guide member are arranged separately will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus is pulled out, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view including a partial cross-section illustrating a configuration example of the light emitting member. In the uppermost sheet feed tray 131 of the image forming apparatus 100, for example, two sets of A4 size recording medium bundles can be arranged side by side. In the paper feed tray 131, in a state where one set of recording medium bundles has been fed inside, the adjacent recording medium bundle is automatically moved to continue feeding. For this reason, the sheet feeding tray 131 can replenish the recording medium even when the first light emitting member 221 emits light. Note that only one set of recording medium bundles is arranged on the other paper feed trays 132, 133, and 134, and the paper feed trays 132, 133, and 134 are pulled out while the first light emitting members 222, 223, and 224 emit light. The recording medium cannot be refilled.

  The first light emitting member 221 disposed in the paper feed tray 131 is configured by an LED light emitting element 221a disposed in the apparatus main body 101 of the image forming apparatus and a light guide member 221b disposed on the paper feed tray 131 side. Yes. The light guide member 221b is made of a transparent synthetic resin, and has a three-dimensional emission part 241 that emits light, a light guide part 242 that extends perpendicularly to the paper feed tray 131, that is, in a horizontal direction, and a light reflection surface. 243. The LED light emitting element 221 a is inclined by about 60 degrees with respect to the light guide portion 242 and is fixed to the apparatus main body 101 with an attachment member 244.

  The LED light emitting element 221a is lit even when the paper feed tray 131 is pulled out, and it is necessary to prevent light from the LED light emitting element 221a from entering the eyes of the operator. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, the shutter member 245 that interlocks with the movement of the paper feed tray 131 is used as a light amount reduction member that reduces the light from the LED light emitting element 221a in a state where the paper feed tray 131 is pulled out. Is arranged. The shutter member 245 is disposed in the apparatus main body 101 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 246, and is disposed so as to be pushed to a position where the light from the LED light emitting element 221a is blocked by a spring (not shown).

When the paper feed tray 131 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 101, the shutter member 245 blocks the LED light emitting element 221a and reduces emitted light. On the other hand, when the paper feed tray 131 is pushed into the apparatus main body 101, the shutter member 245 is pushed inward by the light guide member 221b , and the light from the LED light emitting element 221a enters the light guide portion 242 of the light guide member 221b. Then, the state is released from the injection unit 241. For this reason, even when the paper feed tray 131 is pulled out, the light from the LED light emitting element 221a can be prevented from entering the eyes of the operator.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, it is desirable that the second light emitting member is provided on a one-to-one basis with respect to the operation member of one movable member. However, the second light emitting member may not be installed one-on-one with respect to the operation member due to restrictions on the arrangement space, cost, and the like. In this case, a plurality of operation members are designated by one second light emitting member. FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which the operation of a plurality of operation members is guided by one second light emitting member. In this example, in the drawer unit 170, one second light emitting member 217 is disposed corresponding to the levers 251 and 252 which are two related operation members as a continuous operation.

  Each of the two levers 251 and 252 is provided with a unique decal (for example, a decal with a number). Here, the lever 252 is a lever operated next to the lever 251. In the case where the two levers 251 and 252 are separated from each other, it is preferable that the second light emitting member 217 is disposed so that the operation procedure is close to the previous lever 251 as shown in FIG. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the user to perform the lever operation according to the operation procedure.

  In this case, the second light emitting member 217 is controlled to emit light as follows. The second light emitting member 217 is controlled to emit light so that the procedure does not disappear when the previous lever 251 is operated, and the lever 252 that needs to be operated next is detected to be turned off. Thereby, the user can prompt the user to operate the two levers 251 and 252 with one second light emitting member 217. When the two levers 251 and 252 are arranged close to each other, they can be arranged at an intermediate position.

  Another example that prompts the operation of a plurality of operation members with one second light emitting member will be described. Here, the movable member such as the door and the drawer member is provided with a first operating member such as a handle. When the movable member is opened, the second and second levers and the like operated after the first operating member are provided. It is assumed that 3 operation members appear. The second light emitting member described above is arranged in the vicinity of the first operating member to facilitate the operation of the first operating member, and the second and third light emitting members are disposed in the vicinity of the second light emitting member. A decal indicating the position of the operation member and a unique number is pasted. In addition, when using the decal which described the specific number which shows the 2nd, 3rd operation member, the decal of a specific mark is stuck on the 2nd operation member and the 3rd operation member, respectively.

At the time of the first light emission of the second light emitting member provided in the vicinity of the first operation member, the user confirms the decals indicating the positions and unique numbers of the second and third operation members. The number of operation members to be operated after the movable member is opened and the operation order can be grasped in advance. Accordingly, it is possible to prompt the user to operate the second operation member and the third operation member without providing the second light emitting member on each of the second operation member and the third operation member.
Note that after the movable member is opened, the second light emitting member provided in the vicinity of the first operation member may be turned off.

  Further, when the user does not notice the second and third operation members and closes the movable member without operating the second and third operation members, the second light-emitting member is caused to emit light again to cause the first light-emitting member to emit light. It is possible to make the user recognize that there is an operation member to be operated separately in addition to the operation member.

  Furthermore, the operation member for taking out the recording medium may be disposed at a place where it is difficult to see. In this case, even if the second light emitting member is disposed close to the operation member, it is difficult to confirm the light emission. For this reason, a 2nd light emitting member can be arrange | positioned in the location which is easy to visually recognize, and a table | surface and an instruction sheet can be displayed as guidance which guides to an operation member adjacent to this 2nd light emitting member. By arranging the guide, it is possible to designate a plurality of operation members arranged at a plurality of locations with one second light emitting member.

< Embodiment 3 >
Next, an image forming system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. An image forming system can be configured by attaching a large-capacity recording medium supply device and a post-processing device to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. In this case, the second light emitting member can also be disposed on the operation member disposed in the large-capacity recording medium supply device or the post-processing device. Hereinafter, a case where a recording medium supply device (LCT) 180 as a recording medium supply device is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image forming system according to the third embodiment, FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which an open / close door of a large-capacity recording medium supply device in the image forming system is opened, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a large-capacity recording medium supply device in the forming system. FIG.

The image forming system 200 is configured by connecting a recording medium supply device 180 to the image forming apparatus 100. The recording medium supply device 180 is provided with a large-capacity paper feed tray 184 as a recording medium installation section or a supply device recording medium installation section, and the recording medium is conveyed from the large-capacity paper feed tray 184 to the image forming apparatus 100. . Here, the recording medium supply device 180 is arranged in a state where it cannot be easily removed from the apparatus main body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the recording medium storage portion opening / closing door 137 (see FIG. 14) of the image forming apparatus 100 is hidden by the recording medium supply device 180.

Therefore, the recording medium supply device 180 arranges the opening and closing possible front door 181 in the handle portion 182 is an operating member or feeder operating member, in the vicinity of the intake hand portion 182 fourth front door emitting a light emitting member A member 183 is disposed. The recording medium is stored in a large-capacity paper feed tray 184. On the front panel 184a of the large-capacity paper feed tray 184, a handle 185 and a third light emitting member 186 indicating that a recording medium is supplied from the large-capacity paper feed tray 184 are disposed. Further, a fourth light emitting member 187 for displaying that the recording medium is jammed in the conveyance path of the recording medium supply device 180 is disposed on the front panel 184a of the large capacity sheet feeding tray 184. The recording medium supply device 180 is provided with supply device remaining recording medium detection means (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium remaining in the recording medium supply device body.

  The recording medium supply device 180 is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus 100 and operates under the control of the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the third light emitting member 186 of the recording medium supply device 180 is subjected to the same light emission control as the first light emitting member of the image forming device 100 by the light emission control means 310 of the image forming device 100, and the front door of the recording medium supply device 180. The light emitting member 183 and the fourth light emitting member 187 are subjected to the same light emission control as the second light emitting member of the image forming apparatus 100. That is, the front door light-emitting member 183 and the fourth light-emitting member 187 emit light when the operation member needs to be operated to eliminate paper jams, and the third light-emitting member and the fourth light-emitting member are in different states. It emits light. For example, the shape of the light emitting unit, the light emission color, and the timing of light emission are made different.

  In the recording medium supply device 180, the third light emitting member 186 is turned on when paper is being fed from the large capacity paper feed tray 184. In this state, when a paper jam occurs, the fourth light emitting member 187 is lit in a light emission color different from that of the third light emitting member 186. Thereby, it is understood that a paper jam has occurred in the recording medium supply device 180.

  Further, in the image forming system 200, when the recording medium is jammed in the vertical conveyance path of the recording medium storage unit 130, the following processing is performed. First, when the remaining recording medium detection unit 330 of the image forming apparatus 100 detects a paper jam in the vertical conveyance path of the image forming apparatus 100, the handle of the front door 181 of the recording medium supply device 180 is controlled by the light emission control unit 310. The front door light emitting member 183 disposed in the vicinity of the portion 182 blinks. When the front door 181 is opened according to this blinking, the front door light emitting member 183 is turned off. Next, the recording medium storage unit door light emitting member 214 of the recording medium storage unit opening / closing door 137 of the image forming apparatus 100 blinks. When the recording medium storage portion opening / closing door 137 is opened to remove the recording medium from the vertical conveyance path of the recording medium storage portion 130 and the recording medium storage portion opening / closing door 137 is closed, the recording medium storage portion door light emitting member 214 is turned off. Then, the front door 181 is closed and the recording medium take-out process ends.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 15, the third light emitting member 186 and the fourth light emitting member 187 are arranged on the same front panel 184a. In such a case, misplacement can be prevented by disposing the third light emitting member 186 and the front door light emitting member 183 at different positions. In addition, a paper jam or a pictogram representing a recording medium can be displayed adjacent to each light emitting member. Pictograms can be displayed by printing, decals, etc. Such a display can also be applied to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first and second embodiments.

According to the image forming system 200 according to this embodiment, the third light emitting member arranged in the recording medium storage unit and the fourth light emitting member showing the operation member for performing the operation for taking out the recording medium are in a light emitting state. Therefore, it can be easily discriminated without confusion between the two. Thereby, an erroneous operation can be prevented. Further, since the operation members to be operated by the light emission of the fourth light emitting member are sequentially specified, it is possible to easily remove the jammed recording medium without making an error. In this example, the recording medium supply device 180 is described as being controlled to emit light by the image forming apparatus 100. However, the recording medium supply device 180 itself controls the third light emitting member and the fourth light emitting member. Can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Image forming apparatus 101: Apparatus main body 110: Document reading part 120: Image forming part 121: Manual feed part opening / closing door 121a, 136a, 137a: Handle part (operation member)
123: Toner replacement opening / closing door 130: Recording medium storage unit 131, 132, 133, 134: Paper feed tray (recording medium installation unit)
131a, 132a, 133a, 134a: front panels 131b, 132b, 133b, 134b: handle portion 135: purge portion 136: purge portion opening / closing door 136a: handle portion (operation member)
137: Recording medium storage part opening / closing door 137a: Handle part (operation member)
160: Fixing device 170: Drawer unit 171: Front plate part 172: Drawer operation part (operation member)
180: Recording medium supply device (recording medium supply device)
181: front door 182: handle portion (operation member)
183: Front door light emitting member (fourth light emitting member)
184: large-capacity paper tray (record media installation section)
184a: front panel 185: handle portion 186: third light emitting member 187: fourth light emitting member 200: Image forming system 211: lead-emitting member (second light emitting member)
212: Manual sheet feeding door light emitting member (second light emitting member)
213: Purge part door light emitting member (second light emitting member)
214: Recording medium storage portion door light emitting member (second light emitting member)
221, 222, 223, 224: first light emitting member 221a: LED light emitting element 221b: light guide member
245: Shutter member (light quantity reducing member)
310: Light emission control means 320: Paper feed conveyance detection means 330: Remaining recording medium detection means 340: Operation procedure determination means 350: Storage means 360: Movable member open / close detection means

JP 2000-122361 A

Claims (10)

Disposed on the outer surface of the recording medium setting section recording medium Ru is installed, a first light emitting member recording medium from the recording medium installed unit emits light when being transported,
The apparatus main body or found before type recording medium disposed on the operating member for operating upon removal, or the second light emitting member disposed in the vicinity of the operating member,
A remaining recording medium detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium remaining in the apparatus body;
In an image forming apparatus comprising:
The second light emitting member emits light when the operation member needs to be operated based on the detection result of the remaining recording medium detecting means,
The emission color of the first light emitting member is a wavelength region of 460 nm to 480 nm, the emission color of the second light emitting member is a wavelength region of 610 nm to 630 nm,
The recording medium installation part can be pulled out from the apparatus main body,
The first light-emitting member includes a light-emitting element and a light guide member that guides light of the incident light-emitting element and emits the light from an emission unit.
The light guide member is disposed in the recording medium installation section;
The light emitting element is disposed in the apparatus main body,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a light amount reducing member that covers the light emitting element and reduces light from the light emitting element in conjunction with a pulling operation of the recording medium installing unit .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein light emission colors of the first light emitting member and the second light emitting member are different. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in varying the light emission period of the second light emitting member and the first light emitting member. The first was a light-emitting member is continuously lit, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that blink the second light emitting member. The plane shape of the installation surface of the portion emitting light of the first light emitting member, any one of the second claims 1, characterized in that varying the planar shape of the installation surface of the portion emitting light of the light emitting member 4 The image forming apparatus described in the item. Any said emission sites of the first light emitting member disposed from the installation surface to the inside, of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a portion of light emission of the second light emitting member protrudes from the installation surface on the outside The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The light-emitting portions of the first light-emitting member and the second light-emitting member are attached to the installation surface by surrounding them with a frame-shaped member, and the shape of the frame-shaped member is made different between the first light-emitting member and the second light-emitting member. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the. The light emitting device, an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is disposed in the apparatus main body in a tilted state with respect to the light guide member. In a recording medium supply apparatus for supplying a recording medium to an image forming apparatus,
A third light emitting member that is disposed on an outer surface of a recording medium installation unit on which the recording medium is installed, and emits light when the recording medium is conveyed from the recording medium installation unit;
A fourth light emitting member disposed on an operation member operated when removing the recording medium from the apparatus main body of the recording medium supply device, or disposed in the vicinity of the operation member;
A remaining recording medium detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium remaining in the apparatus body;
With
The fourth light emitting member emits light when the operation member needs to be operated based on the detection result of the remaining recording medium detecting means.
The emission color of the third light emitting member is a wavelength region of 460 nm to 480 nm, the emission color of the fourth light emitting member is a wavelength region of 610 nm to 630 nm,
The recording medium installation part can be pulled out from the apparatus main body,
The third light emitting member includes a light emitting element, and a light guide member that guides light of the incident light emitting element and emits the light from an emission unit.
The light guide member is disposed in the recording medium installation section;
The light emitting element is disposed in the apparatus main body,
A recording medium supply apparatus comprising: a light amount reducing member that covers the light emitting element and reduces light from the light emitting element in conjunction with a pulling operation of the recording medium installing unit . An image forming system comprising: the image forming apparatus according to claim 1; and the recording medium supply apparatus according to claim 9 .